2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code Q17.4Misplaced ear

ICD-10-CM Codes›Q00-Q99›Q10-Q18›Q17

ICD-10-CM Q17.4
CMSSource: CMS FY 2026 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2026

Q17.4 is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for misplaced ear. It is valid on HIPAA claims for fiscal year 2026 (October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026) and groups to MS-DRG 154 through 156. The code is exempt from POA reporting. Coders also document this condition as congenital malposition of left external ear. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Congenital malformations of eye, ear, face, neck.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
Q17.4
Billable Status
Yes — Valid for Submission
Code Describes
Misplaced ear
Short Description
Misplaced ear
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Parent Code
Q17
Other congenital malformations of ear

Code Classification

ChapterQ00-Q99Congenital malformations, deformations and chromosomal abnormalities
SectionQ10-Q18Congenital malformations of eye, ear, face and neck
CategoryQ17Other congenital malformations of ear
This CodeQ17.4Misplaced ear

Present on Admission (POA)Billing

Q17.4 is exempt from POA reporting on inpatient claims to general acute care hospitals. Review other POA exempt codes.

Approximate SynonymsGuidance

Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.

  • Congenital malposition of left external ear
  • Congenital malposition of right external ear
  • Low set ears
  • Misplaced bilateral ears
  • Misplaced ear
  • Posteriorly rotated ear

Tabular List NotesGuidance

Coding notes and annotation back-references applicable to this code.

Inclusion Terms

  • Low-set ears

Type 1 Excludes

Index to Diseases and InjuriesGuidance

Alphabetical index entries that point to this code.

External Cause of Injuries IndexGuidance

References for this code in the External Cause of Injuries Index.

    • Displacement, displaced
      • auricle (congenital)
    • Low
      • set ears
    • Malformation(congenital)
      • ear
        • external
          • misplacement
    • Malposition
      • congenital
        • auricle (ear)
    • Malposition
      • congenital
        • ear (auricle) (external)
    • Melotia
    • Misplaced, misplacement
      • ear

Clinical ClassificationClinical

AHRQ’s CCSR groups this code into broader clinical categories.

CCSR MAL005
Congenital malformations of eye, ear, face, neck
Default principal diagnosis: inpatient Yes · outpatient Yes

Patient EducationClinical

Craniofacial Abnormalities

Craniofacial is a medical term that relates to the bones of the skull and face. Craniofacial abnormalities are birth defects of the face or head. Some, like cleft lip and palate, are among the most common of all birth defects. Others are very rare. Most of them affect how a person's face or head looks.

Read the full article at MedlinePlus

Courtesy of MedlinePlus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

Convert Q17.4 to ICD-9-CMHistory

The closest ICD-9-CM equivalents under the General Equivalence Mappings.

ICD-9-CM
744.29 Ear anomalies NEC
Approximate The match is approximate rather than exact.

Code HistoryHistory

FY 2016AddedAdded to the ICD-10-CM code setEffective October 1, 2015, the first year of ICD-10-CM.
FY 2017–2025No changes
FY 2026CurrentCurrent code set, no changesEffective October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.

Questions About Q17.4Overview

Is Q17.4 (Other congenital malformations of ear) a billable code?

Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report misplaced ear on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.

What MS-DRG does Q17.4 group to?

When misplaced ear is the principal diagnosis on an inpatient stay, it groups to MS-DRG 154, 155, 156, with relative weights from 0.6911 to 1.5635 depending on complications. Higher weights mean higher Medicare reimbursement.

Is Q17.4 exempt from POA reporting?

Yes. CMS lists this code among those exempt from present on admission reporting, so hospitals do not assign a POA indicator for misplaced ear on inpatient claims.

What is the ICD-9 equivalent of Q17.4?

Under the General Equivalence Mappings, misplaced ear converts to ICD-9-CM 744.29 (ear anomalies NEC). The mapping is approximate, so confirm the match fits the documentation.

Footnotes

[1] Chronic - a chronic condition code indicates a condition lasting 12 months or longer and its effect on the patient based on one or both of the following criteria:

  • The condition results in the need for ongoing intervention with medical products,treatment, services, and special equipment
  • The condition places limitations on self-care, independent living, and social interactions.